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Pro Co RAT Distortion Pedal
"Sometimes we'd double a track using an old Pro Co Rat, and then hard-pan the parts so that a super-distorted guitar was in the left chan... more
between the swollen pickle and the blues driver to see the pro co rat, all though this picture is small, you might find a larger version ... more
["Krist's distortion pedal of choice."](http://www.livenirvana.com/equipment/krist.php) as mentioned by Earnest Bailey, NIRVANA's guitar ... more
“Sometimes you put on distortion on top of something already distorted and it’s like a math problem, everything cancels each other out, y... more
Reviews
Trusted musician and artist reviews for Pro Co RAT Distortion Pedal
Based on 32 Reviews
It gives you all you need
this pedal gives you the fuzz of Dave Gilmour, the hard grunge of Kurt Cobain and Dave Grohl, as well as the 80's distortion of Nuno Bettencourt. Easy to dial in tones, and there are so many. Mine has been stomped hard and still no problems 20 years later.
Also, to the best of my knowledge, the first op-amp/diode-to-ground distortion to incorporate a charge pump to double the traditional 9 volt rails of stomp boxes. THis idea has been borrowed in a number of high profile 'boutique' overdrives like the Klon Centaur and Sweet Honey Overdrive. A high(er) voltage Distortion+ with a big muff tone control that sounds nothing like the 70s designs it draws inspiration from that's built like a tank. What's not to like?
This pedal is manly as fuck.
Great distortion, spongy organic tone with no hiss. Works well on solid states but better on tubes. Can be powered by 9, 12 and 18v. More juice means more distortion. After trying 13 or so distortion pedals (no exaggeration) I tired this pedal for the first time at my local music store (they are always sold out). Upon engaging this pedal while playing a verse from 'Hooks in you" by Iron Maiden, My hair grew 100%, My chest hair billowed from beneath my shirt, and I was able to sing 3 octaves higher. I took it home and hooked it up to my 7 string, and was able to chug out the chunkiest riffs I have ever played. BUY. THIS. PEDAL
I Use this pedal to tastefully add some CHARGE to a Drums, Synth Leads and/or Synth Bass. If i want to get TUFF with my synths, especially bass i'll use some METAL DISTORTION like that "shitty" Joyo Metal pedal i use. I tell ya' -- for guitars, mehhhhhhhh
I Use this pedal to tastefully add some CHARGE to a Drums, Synth Leads and/or Synth Bass. Some extra saturation. On my guitar is drive it up and crank it. love Rat Pedals. However, If i want to get TUFF with my synths, go full distort. especially bass synth, i'll use some METAL DISTORTION like that "shitty" Joyo extreme metal pedal i have hahaha. I tell ya' thing kicks a lil ass with synths -- ok. lolol. for guitars, that joyo "Extreme" distortion is MEH!. Anyway on guitars if you rock This RAT, a proper guitar, and an amp head that goes to 11... shits going to scream. (and if you want to take it further a Maxon OD 808 infront of that Rat willl take you there, better rock that NS-2 while you're at it aswell baha)
It should be called ProCo BEAST Distortion
It sounds so good. It's true you can get a great fuzz and distortion sound. I've also noticed that it's very compatible with chorus and reverb.
The Rat, whiteface, from Proco. Arguably the best distortion ever created.
I may be biased, but I have never needed to buy, or do research for that matter, for any distortion or overdrive, fuzz, etc. You can literally get any sound you need from a Rat. What I love about this pedal is using it along with the volume knob, at really low volumes it has a whole different character. As you turn it up, the character changes and becomes something more, but just as intriguing. I have had mine since 1987, I bought it from a friend for $40. I have never played any other distortion in my signal path and I played top 40, metal, rock, blues, funk, 80's, 90's etc, using this pedal for all kinds of effects. The filter knob, this is the key, when you play a room and the reverb is drowning you out, just turn this know until the frequency cuts through the hoopla, I cannot convey how great it is to have that ability and fix it in 5 seconds with no soundman debates, or having to turn your rig up and then you look like an a**hole. If you don't have a Proco Rat, a Whiteface, vintage or reissue, my preference, then stop reading and go get one if you want to have any integrity as a guitarist. If you kick this pedal on, and there are any guitarists in the audience, oh they will come to see what is making you sound like a beast! believe me, it will happen as it has to me countless times. Good luck in acquiring one!
"I may be biased" woulda been funnier if you were reviewing something with discrete transistors or a tube amp. Classic for a reason... I'm not sure that using an original spec rat gives a guitarist integrity, but they sure sound good, especially in a band context and they get on with a lot of different amps. Great for synths too.
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if you can find one the discontinued TC Nova Drive is a rat with 2 tone shapers coupled to a TS9 circuit and a clean blend. It has preset storage, receives midi program change data as well as continuous controller data for expression pedals to replace certain knob functions (not that I use that feature). You can use the 2 drive cicuits separately, in series or in parallel (which is really more useful than I expected). I will never go back to a regular Rat and I have owned many of them, even the really early version everyone goes bonkers for now.
RAT is all you need
Simply perfect. Love the versatility that you can get out from this pedal. Sweet mild overdriven/disorttion tone to sick ass fuzz! The only withdrawal about this pedal is a hit or miss. Tried bunch; some are very good and some are really bad. It can get too shrills, fizzy and thin at the top end. Nonetheless, easily favorite pedal off all time. Would recommend to check out Proco Rat 1985 original whiteface or reissue and Proco Rat 2 MIA (1990's). Else, go for Big Ear Woodcutter!
Very nice sounds, and simple with quality
If you want great sound of Big Stars like Jeff Beck don't search anymore, you've got it , this is the version 2 but not the least !!!
I don't recal jeffbeck ever rcking a rat, great pedal, but its not exactly the distortion of the stars.. still love it though
I love the rat
this is like the queen bee of buzzy distortion toys... it does a little of everything and it does it well. Sounds great through an AC30 too, which is a tough amp for most dirt boxes. Everyone should own a rat or something absed on the rat. I have this in a box of junk. It went in there when I had a long period where I didn't use many effects in line and now tis been replaced by the TC Nova Drive that ahs a rat in it. But I'll probably never get rid of the proco, I've had it forever. Everyone should buy one.